Dinh Hong Phuong, 47, the driver, and Bui Thien Loi, 52, the bus owner, told the police that a man had paid them to deliver the legs from Laos to Vietnam.

The police also confiscated the bus for further investigation.

Sun bears are categorized as "endangered" in Vietnam, where they are protected from hunting. Along with Asian black bears, sun bears are often targeted for their bile, hands and legs for use in traditional medicine.